Push the boundaries of science and technology in the quest for limitless clean energy.
Year of entry: 2025 (September)
1 year full-time,
2 years part-time
September 2025 (semester dates)
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Find out moreResearch into fusion is entering an exciting new era, with several large facilities aiming to achieve the crucial milestone of net energy gain.
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To create sustained fusion reactions, fusion fuel must be heated to 100 million degrees. The fuel is rapidly converted to plasma, which is extremely difficult to confine and control. New international facilities using high-energy lasers and superconducting magnets are crucial steps on the way to reliable fusion energy, but there are still many challenges to overcome.
This MSc will prepare you to address these challenges. You will be equipped in theoretical concepts, and computational and technical skills to understand and address the need to develop fusion and plasma technologies. You will have opportunities to conduct cutting-edge research under the guidance of experts at the York Plasma Institute and School of Physics, Engineering and Technology.
You'll have unrivalled opportunities to interact with world-class international fusion experts, making the MSc in Fusion Energy an excellent way to explore your interest in fusion and prepare for a career in this field.
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Studying under many of the UK's top fusion scientists, as well as eating lunch and chatting freely with them, was exceptionally beneficial for my knowledge. The lectures were incredible, with each course designed to provide you with the most up-to-date fusion physics and engineering, including a particular emphasis on data analysis and computational modelling.Hamish, MSc Fusion Energy
Learn from internationally renowned researchers pushing the boundaries of knowledge in fusion energy
Access to state-of-the-art data analysis techniques and equipment, in purpose-built teaching, research and laboratory spaces
You'll start your studies with a series of foundation modules covering the essential plasma concepts that underpins the main approaches to achieving fusion energy. With this background, you'll learn about both the magnetic and inertial confinement approaches to fusion. These topics are supported by a series of computational and data laboratories which are designed to develop your applied computational and experimental skills.
As part of Semester 2, you will engage in two intensive one-week courses, delivered by visiting expert speakers, covering the technologies and research frontiers of fusion.
You'll complete the MSc with a major research project. Under the supervision of world-leading experts at the York Plasma Institute and School of Physics, Engineering and Technology, you will develop deep knowledge in a specific aspect of fusion or related area of plasma science or technology.
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
Your project is a significant and open-ended (individual or team) investigation that you will design, carry out, and report on independently. The project provides opportunities for creativity and original thought as you address important scientific and technological questions.
Each project has a specific staff supervisor who will give advice and assistance as needed at regular supervisory meetings. Available projects will vary from year to year, to reflect the interests of our researchers. Recent projects have included:
Many of the projects are based at York Plasma Institute. There may also be projects available working in collaboration with industry partners. For example, we have offered projects based at UKAEA's Culham Campus, and at STFC's Rutherford Appleton Laboratory.
There is also potential for students to propose their own customised project. Previously these have included links with an industrial partner that the student has chosen to work with.
Every course at York is built on a distinctive set of learning outcomes. These will give you a clear understanding of what you will be able to accomplish at the end of the course and help you explain what you can offer employers. Our academics identify the knowledge, skills, and experiences you'll need upon graduation and then design the course to get you there.
What attracted me most to my particular project was the opportunity to do some real hands-on science - that, and actually being able to generate a visible plasma!Michael, MSc Fusion Energy
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (1 year) | £13,300 | £31,900 |
| Part-time (2 years) This is the year 1 fee. Fees for future years are subject to confirmation. |
£6,650 | £15,950 |
Students on a Student Visa are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.
For courses which are longer than one year, the tuition fees quoted are for the first year of study.
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
Discover your funding options to help with tuition fees and living costs.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2025/26 throughout the year.
If you've successfully completed an undergraduate degree at York you could be eligible for a 10% Masters fee discount.
We are pleased to work with Chevening Scholars to offer funding for our Masters programmes. Chevening Scholarships provide one year of fully-funded postgraduate study in the UK for international (including EU) students. The scholarships are open to early and mid-career professionals who have the potential to become future leaders.
You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.
You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.
You will be taught with a combination of lectures, problem classes, and computational and experimental lab sessions. You'll also attend two week-long intensive workshops featuring experts from outside the University, which will develop your wider understanding of fusion energy and provide opportunities to connect with leading researchers and engineers.
Most of your teaching will take place in the School of Physics & Engineering Technology and York Plasma Institute on Campus West. The majority of departments, colleges and facilities are based nearby.
Some research projects are based off-site, for example at the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy and the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.
You will be assessed with a mixture of closed- and open-book exams, essays and evaluation of your laboratory work.
The grade for your project is based on your project notebook and final report. You will also sit a viva on your final report: an oral exam.
York Plasma Institute has great facilities, and offers very high-quality teaching and a greatly interactive environment where MSc students can discuss with PhD students and the academic staff.July, MSc Fusion Energy
This course will start you off on a career in various fields within the growing plasma and fusion energy sector. You will develop strong foundations in plasma and fusion concepts with skill sets needed for seeking solutions to challenging and often complex problems. The transferable skills unlock diverse career opportunities, including as a research, engineering or scientific specialist in fusion. You'll have the opportunity to foster invaluable industry connections and play a role in advancing fusion and plasma technologies for the benefit of society.
We provide bespoke careers sessions throughout the year to help you maximise your full potential in whatever career you choose. Many of our students are offered PhD positions in both fusion energy and other subject areas. Other students go straight into industry, both within fusion, and in a wide array of areas outside of fusion.
| Typical offer | |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate degree | 2:2 or equivalent in a broad range of STEM subjects including engineering, mathematics, physics, computer science, environmental science, and related disciplines |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Minimum requirement | |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic and Indicator) | 6.0, minimum 5.5 in each component |
| Cambridge CEFR | B2 First: 169, with no less than 162 in each component |
| Oxford ELLT | 6, minimum of 5 in each component |
| Oxford Test of English Advanced | 136, minimum 126 in each component |
| Duolingo | 105, minimum 95 in all other components |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert Academic | 65 with a minimum of 60 in each component |
| Kaplan Test of English Language | 444-477, with 410-443 in all other components |
| Skills for English | B2: Pass with Merit overall, with Pass in each component |
| PTE Academic | 55, minimum 51 in each component |
| TOEFL | 79, minimum of 17 in Listening, 18 in Reading, 20 in Speaking and 17 in Writing |
| Trinity ISE III | Pass in all components |
For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements.
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
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